Bravo Bravissimo!!!! ...nothing short of brilliant.
—Larry Desrochers, Executive Director, Manitoba Opera Association
Entertaining, animated, and energetic!
—Janice Deck, Educator, A.E. Wright Community School
The audience was engaged with all facets of this production.
—Karen E. Smith, Co-founder Young People’s Theatre Series, Travers City, Michigan
Engaging, entertaining, enriching, educational, and inspiring —this was a terrific way to introduce young children to opera.
—Kerry Cressall, Principal, Wayoata Elementary School
Extraordinary performer, great music, very interactive a wonderful experience for all ages.
—Jean Gilbert, St. Gerard School
This is the best visiting production we've ever had at the school!
Mary Anne Thomson, Ecole Robert H. Smith
Delightful. Al is a master at all he does. Very classy. —Willa Wade, Collegiate Choral Educator, Vincent Massey
Al Simmons is a dynamic performer.
—Paula Burke, Oak Bank Elementary
My daughter enjoyed the show so much that she has asked me to play the opera for her, has been going around the house singing 'Figaro' and really, really wants to go see the full opera of The Barber of Seville! So, from that one show, my daughter is now an opera fan, a classical music fan, and an Al Simmons groupie and fan! I am so pleased!
—Margo Kehler
Al Simmons was able to capture the attention of the 4 year olds to the 50 year olds. He made Opera come alive and tied it to everyone's previous experiences. Many adults commented on how entertained they were and how much they learned.
—Nancy Lovenjak, Happy Thought School
Al's creativity and energy were fantastic! The show appealed to the full range of age in attendance from 5 years old to adult.
—Pat Barnson, St. Ignatius School
Accessible opera.
—Kristi Grunsten-Yonda, Ralph Maybank School
More Al Simmons! We loved him! A top quality performance!
—Lynn Levine, River West Park School
Al Simmons was terrific. The students had an opportunity to discover opera in a "fun" and "relaxed" way.
—Tammy Narynski, St Charles Catholic School
This was a perfect opportunity to let children explore opera at an appropriate level to their age.
—Music director, Karen Tole-Henderson, Shamrock School
We had the whole school (K-6) watching and they were all attentive and entertained, and even the Kindergarten children were commenting on individual characters after the presentation. BRAVO to Al Simmons for this fine production.
—Dawn Muir, Music Specialist, Ecole Dieppe
Fabulous! Very informative and funny with great music —appealing to the wide range of the children's ages as well as to the adults. He's a talented and clever person and we thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the program.
—Karen Mitchell, Music Specialist, Ecole Robert H. Smith
What an experience for us who have never seen an opera. I am sure Al has given ideas to our students to use when they do drama in Language Arts classes.
—Rene Ammann, Educator, Ecole Centrale
Who better then Al Simmons to introduce kids to the wonderful comedy of Rossini’s madcap opera? He’s the master of the one-man show and, of course, kids love him.
—Larry Desrochers, General Director & CEO. Manitoba Opera Association
Your performances were incredible. Wonderful comments from all the staff and students. Thanks for coming to Leesville School! —Deanna Winick PTA ,Leesville Elementary School, Raleigh, NC
Everyone LOVED your show. The teachers thought the kids learned a lot.
—Ms. Levy, Leesville Elementary School, Raleigh NC
Hey great. We enjoyed watching "the barber". Al is correct we always think of Elmer Fudd and the cartoon. Who would have known what a brilliant and touching story it is. I think we will attend an Opera as soon as theatres open up. Well done!
— Rob and Julia, Kelowna
To say my students have LOVED it would be an understatement. Thank you so much Al Simmons, you have given me a most enjoyable way to introduce my students to opera. —Debbie Eismendi
So inventive and funny and educational at the same time - TRIPLE THREAT!
—Cathy Nosaty, Toronto
